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You'll Be Sorry
A newlywed couple each with their own secrets. An abandoned lodge with a horrific decades-old mystery. And a small mountain town where everyone believes they know their neighbors…except they don’t.
For Raquel and Theo Collins, it appeared to be love at first sight. Raquel, a renowned interior designer, and Theo, a brash financial wizard met and married in a matter of months, only to confront a terrible tragedy. Now, unbearably aware of the distance between them, they’ve come to a remote town in New Hampshire to begin anew.
Perched on a ledge with stunning views, the Dixon’s family lodge was once a crown jewel of the mountains. Until late one August night, when both parents and their four children vanished, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints, and a mystery that has endured for thirty years. Now, its latest occupants, the Collinses, are arriving, and the former grand lodge is once more stirring to life.
For Amanda Grady, following in her father’s footsteps as the recently appointed Shereford police chief, it’s good to see a fresh start for the derelict Dixon place. However, not everyone is happy about a new family in the old home and its hidden past may have returned with a vengeance.
When a stray dog leads to the discovery of a skeleton on the property, Raquel and Theo face a daunting choice of what to believe, who to trust, and how to survive. Because in the tiny village of Shereford the time has come. The local residents, the new neighbors, and the fledgling police chief must work together to unravel the terrifying events that happened one night thirty years ago, or…
You’ll be sorry.
For Raquel and Theo Collins, it appeared to be love at first sight. Raquel, a renowned interior designer, and Theo, a brash financial wizard met and married in a matter of months, only to confront a terrible tragedy. Now, unbearably aware of the distance between them, they’ve come to a remote town in New Hampshire to begin anew.
Perched on a ledge with stunning views, the Dixon’s family lodge was once a crown jewel of the mountains. Until late one August night, when both parents and their four children vanished, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints, and a mystery that has endured for thirty years. Now, its latest occupants, the Collinses, are arriving, and the former grand lodge is once more stirring to life.
For Amanda Grady, following in her father’s footsteps as the recently appointed Shereford police chief, it’s good to see a fresh start for the derelict Dixon place. However, not everyone is happy about a new family in the old home and its hidden past may have returned with a vengeance.
When a stray dog leads to the discovery of a skeleton on the property, Raquel and Theo face a daunting choice of what to believe, who to trust, and how to survive. Because in the tiny village of Shereford the time has come. The local residents, the new neighbors, and the fledgling police chief must work together to unravel the terrifying events that happened one night thirty years ago, or…
You’ll be sorry.
357 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Lisa Gardner
112 books21.4k followersLisa Gardner is the #1 New York Times bestselling thriller author of the Frankie Elkin series, as well as the Detective D.D. Warren, the FBI Profilers and the PI Tessa Leoni series.
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
Her current suspense novels feature Frankie Elkin, an everyday, average person who specializes in finding missing people. When the locals have given up, when the media has never bothered to care, Frankie takes on the challenge. From looking for a missing teen in inner city Boston to searching for a missing hiker in the wilds of Wyoming to rescuing a possibly kidnapped girl on a remote island in the Pacific, Frankie is on the case!
Lisa lives in the mountains of New Hampshire with two crazy pups. When not writing, Lisa loves to hike, play cribbage, and, of course, read!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 781 reviews
August 12, 2026
There were things I really liked about this one but unfortunately it ended up being pretty average for me.
I love this author and I was really looking forward to a standalone by her; the premise (and first half) had me so intrigued. It could totally just be a “me” problem but I found myself confused quite a bit, and the pacing felt inconsistent to the point I started losing interest.
I’d still recommend trying it yourself if you’re a fan of hers, it just fell a bit short for me sadly.
I love this author and I was really looking forward to a standalone by her; the premise (and first half) had me so intrigued. It could totally just be a “me” problem but I found myself confused quite a bit, and the pacing felt inconsistent to the point I started losing interest.
I’d still recommend trying it yourself if you’re a fan of hers, it just fell a bit short for me sadly.
August 13, 2026
It was a dark and stormy night...when the the entire Dixon family — mom, dad, four kiddos — vanished without a trace. 👀
Thirty years later, the case that rocked a small New England community remains a mystery.
A young couple purchases the Dixon's abandoned home that's been left frozen in time and, well, old secrets that lie buried begin to surface.
I thoroughly enjoyed the most recent unputdownable thriller by bestselling author Lisa Gardner.
If you're a fan of Gardner, Lisa Jewell, Tana French, or Karin Slaughter, I don't think you'll be sorry if you add this one to your book pile. [see what I did there? 😘]
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In another masterpiece of a crime thriller, Lisa Gardner has shown us all exactly how to write a fast-paced, twisty, complex, unputdownable novel. You see, in her newest standalone book, You’ll Be Sorry, there weren’t just multi-layered mysteries, plot-shifting twists, and tons of delicious dark secrets, but there was also some serious depth to these approachable yet colorfully gritty characters (which included some adorable dogs). Don’t get me wrong, the setting was a huge part of what made this book sing. Dark, creepy, and with a strong sense of place, the isolated mountain town was immersive storytelling at its best. Paired with a Gothic vibe straight out of a Tana French novel and an atmosphere reminiscent of Jane Harper’s The Dry, and it also somehow felt like a return to the style found in Gardner’s early standalone novels. Fear not, though, it still had the edge-of-your-seat feel from her Frankie Elkins series as well.
I do have to say, though, that while I was utterly blown away by the twisty plotting and creepy vibes, the high emotional stakes and hard-hitting backstories were what kept my butt pinned to my chair. Through several POVs—each with a distinct voice—and multiple timelines, the story gradually unraveled as the historical cold case and present-day mystery wound closer and closer. It wasn’t until the plot exploded sky high about two-thirds of the way in, however, that my heart began to race as my adrenaline spiked. You see, I was absolutely blown away by how the well-set-up yet shocking twists and oodles of side-eye-worthy suspects came together to make the finale impossible to guess. Just be forewarned that you’re going to need to suspend your disbelief towards the end. Don’t get me wrong, I was more than happy to put that hat on as I inhaled this claustrophobic and dread-fueled knockout of a read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you’re also a fan of:
- Family dysfunction
- A dark history
- Small-town settings
- Multiple POVs
- Interconnected timelines
- Family secrets
- Well-layered suspense
- Emotional depth
- Long-buried secrets
- Hidden identities
- A strong sense of place
- Twisty plotting
- Unguessable endings
- Gothic vibes
- Cold-case mysteries
- Gradual reveals
- Untrustworthy characters
- Razor—sharp humor
SYNOPSIS:
For Raquel and Theo Collins, it appeared to be love at first sight. Raquel, a renowned interior designer, and Theo, a brash financial wizard met and married in a matter of months, only to confront a terrible tragedy. Now, unbearably aware of the distance between them, they’ve come to a remote town in New Hampshire to begin anew.
Perched on a ledge with stunning views, the Dixon’s family lodge was once a crown jewel of the mountains. Until late one August night, when both parents and their four children vanished, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints, and a mystery that has endured for thirty years. Now, its latest occupants, the Collinses, are arriving, and the former grand lodge is once more stirring to life.
For Amanda Grady, following in her father’s footsteps as the recently appointed Shereford police chief, it’s good to see a fresh start for the derelict Dixon place. However, not everyone is happy about a new family in the old home and its hidden past may have returned with a vengeance.
When a stray dog leads to the discovery of a skeleton on the property, Raquel and Theo face a daunting choice of what to believe, who to trust, and how to survive. Because in the tiny village of Shereford the time has come. The local residents, the new neighbors, and the fledgling police chief must work together to unravel the terrifying events that happened one night thirty years ago, or…
You’ll be sorry.
Thank you Lisa Gardner and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 4, 2026
Content warning: murder, child abuse, child death, missing persons, grief, violence, emotional abuse, mention of: miscarriage
I do have to say, though, that while I was utterly blown away by the twisty plotting and creepy vibes, the high emotional stakes and hard-hitting backstories were what kept my butt pinned to my chair. Through several POVs—each with a distinct voice—and multiple timelines, the story gradually unraveled as the historical cold case and present-day mystery wound closer and closer. It wasn’t until the plot exploded sky high about two-thirds of the way in, however, that my heart began to race as my adrenaline spiked. You see, I was absolutely blown away by how the well-set-up yet shocking twists and oodles of side-eye-worthy suspects came together to make the finale impossible to guess. Just be forewarned that you’re going to need to suspend your disbelief towards the end. Don’t get me wrong, I was more than happy to put that hat on as I inhaled this claustrophobic and dread-fueled knockout of a read. Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you’re also a fan of:
- Family dysfunction
- A dark history
- Small-town settings
- Multiple POVs
- Interconnected timelines
- Family secrets
- Well-layered suspense
- Emotional depth
- Long-buried secrets
- Hidden identities
- A strong sense of place
- Twisty plotting
- Unguessable endings
- Gothic vibes
- Cold-case mysteries
- Gradual reveals
- Untrustworthy characters
- Razor—sharp humor
SYNOPSIS:
For Raquel and Theo Collins, it appeared to be love at first sight. Raquel, a renowned interior designer, and Theo, a brash financial wizard met and married in a matter of months, only to confront a terrible tragedy. Now, unbearably aware of the distance between them, they’ve come to a remote town in New Hampshire to begin anew.
Perched on a ledge with stunning views, the Dixon’s family lodge was once a crown jewel of the mountains. Until late one August night, when both parents and their four children vanished, leaving behind a trail of bloody footprints, and a mystery that has endured for thirty years. Now, its latest occupants, the Collinses, are arriving, and the former grand lodge is once more stirring to life.
For Amanda Grady, following in her father’s footsteps as the recently appointed Shereford police chief, it’s good to see a fresh start for the derelict Dixon place. However, not everyone is happy about a new family in the old home and its hidden past may have returned with a vengeance.
When a stray dog leads to the discovery of a skeleton on the property, Raquel and Theo face a daunting choice of what to believe, who to trust, and how to survive. Because in the tiny village of Shereford the time has come. The local residents, the new neighbors, and the fledgling police chief must work together to unravel the terrifying events that happened one night thirty years ago, or…
You’ll be sorry.
Thank you Lisa Gardner and Grand Central Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: August 4, 2026
Content warning: murder, child abuse, child death, missing persons, grief, violence, emotional abuse, mention of: miscarriage
September 20, 2026
Several decades ago in a small New Hampshire town, the Dixon family disappeared. I would say without a trace, but there was one: bloody footprints throughout the house. Fast-forward a few decades, and the once forgotten mystery is now being moved to the forefront when a new family buys the property, and their dog discovers bones in a well.
I enjoyed this! The mystery itself went in several different directions and constantly had me guessing. It did get a bit “out there” with some of the elements (I did side-eye a few investigative decisions),but I just went with it. I wouldn’t consider it realistic, but the story was spun really well. The characters had a small town eclectic feel and had distinct personalities. This is a bit of a “kitchen sink” novel, but it would be great for the spooky season.
After not enjoying the Frankie Elkin series, I can say without a doubt I like Mandy way better. This would be one series I would continue on with for sure.
I enjoyed this! The mystery itself went in several different directions and constantly had me guessing. It did get a bit “out there” with some of the elements (I did side-eye a few investigative decisions),but I just went with it. I wouldn’t consider it realistic, but the story was spun really well. The characters had a small town eclectic feel and had distinct personalities. This is a bit of a “kitchen sink” novel, but it would be great for the spooky season.
After not enjoying the Frankie Elkin series, I can say without a doubt I like Mandy way better. This would be one series I would continue on with for sure.
August 6, 2026
When I started reading this book, and up to pretty much, halfway through, I had a sense of dread, and foreboding, with my arms resembling goose flesh. Lisa Gardner has a special knack of reeling the reader in, and making them live each dreadful moment as if IRL.
One of the founding families of the town, The Dixon’s, one stormy night vanish into thin air, leaving a trail of bloody footprints, with only their new “stray” dog alerting the police to the scene. Thirty years later, uber rich and newly wed couple, Raquel and Theo Collins have bought the vast property, with the stunning views. One day a dog similar to the Dixon’s, arrives, and starts digging on their property, revealing a disused well…housing a skeleton…
This was my first book by this author, and I was totally gripped throughout, so I will definitely be reading a lot more of her books. This was a tense, eerie, and chilling, small town mystery thriller, with a lot of secrets, past and present. I loved the relationship between Raquel and Theo, and the love they have for each other. I also really liked the new police chief, Mandy Grady, who is trying to follow in her father’s footsteps, and unravel this great mystery which has baffled the town for over thirty years. Highly recommended.
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Lisa Gardner, the publisher, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 13 August 2026
One of the founding families of the town, The Dixon’s, one stormy night vanish into thin air, leaving a trail of bloody footprints, with only their new “stray” dog alerting the police to the scene. Thirty years later, uber rich and newly wed couple, Raquel and Theo Collins have bought the vast property, with the stunning views. One day a dog similar to the Dixon’s, arrives, and starts digging on their property, revealing a disused well…housing a skeleton…
This was my first book by this author, and I was totally gripped throughout, so I will definitely be reading a lot more of her books. This was a tense, eerie, and chilling, small town mystery thriller, with a lot of secrets, past and present. I loved the relationship between Raquel and Theo, and the love they have for each other. I also really liked the new police chief, Mandy Grady, who is trying to follow in her father’s footsteps, and unravel this great mystery which has baffled the town for over thirty years. Highly recommended.
5 ⭐️
Thanks to Lisa Gardner, the publisher, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.
Available: 13 August 2026
August 6, 2026
I don't like this cover, I feel like it gives 80s Christopher Pike vibes and that is the total wrong vibe of this book. This is not a supernatural story and that is what the cover makes it look like. What I did like is the premise--family disappears without a trace, a couple moves into their house years later. There are some clunky parts, but overall I really liked the police chief and the investigation.
Raquel and Theo Collins move into a home in the woods of New Hampshire. Thirty years ago, a family living in the home disappeared without a trace, despite extensive searching they were never found. When a skeleton is discovered on the property, police chief Mandy Grady gets involved. She's the daughter of the former chief who never got over being unable to solve the mystery of the family's disappearance.
This book is fast paced and as with a typical Gardner mystery, very multi-layered and intriguing. Lots of mysteries and cover-ups and secrets people are desperate to keep hidden. This book went in some surprising directions for me, which helped to make up for some of the more awkward parts.
I listened to the audiobook and it definitely upped the creepy factor. There are some sound effects and those just absolutely elevated the production of the audiobook. I hope Gardner decides to start a new series featuring Mandy as she's an interesting character and the setting is set up for further mysteries.
Raquel and Theo Collins move into a home in the woods of New Hampshire. Thirty years ago, a family living in the home disappeared without a trace, despite extensive searching they were never found. When a skeleton is discovered on the property, police chief Mandy Grady gets involved. She's the daughter of the former chief who never got over being unable to solve the mystery of the family's disappearance.
This book is fast paced and as with a typical Gardner mystery, very multi-layered and intriguing. Lots of mysteries and cover-ups and secrets people are desperate to keep hidden. This book went in some surprising directions for me, which helped to make up for some of the more awkward parts.
I listened to the audiobook and it definitely upped the creepy factor. There are some sound effects and those just absolutely elevated the production of the audiobook. I hope Gardner decides to start a new series featuring Mandy as she's an interesting character and the setting is set up for further mysteries.
August 9, 2026
Unfortunately, this one really didn’t work for me.
I spent a lot of the book feeling confused and questioning what was actually going on. There were so many things that didn’t make sense to me, and instead of making me curious, the unanswered questions just became frustrating. I kept waiting for everything to come together, but when it finally did, I was left thinking… seriously? 😭
The story also felt way too long for what it was. I think it could have been much shorter and more effective without all the extra parts that dragged the story out.
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but by the end I was mostly just ready for it to be over. The premise had potential, but the execution just felt messy and, honestly, a little stupid at times.
Definitely not for me.
I spent a lot of the book feeling confused and questioning what was actually going on. There were so many things that didn’t make sense to me, and instead of making me curious, the unanswered questions just became frustrating. I kept waiting for everything to come together, but when it finally did, I was left thinking… seriously? 😭
The story also felt way too long for what it was. I think it could have been much shorter and more effective without all the extra parts that dragged the story out.
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but by the end I was mostly just ready for it to be over. The premise had potential, but the execution just felt messy and, honestly, a little stupid at times.
Definitely not for me.
August 6, 2026
You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner
Mystery, thriller.
Rachel and Theo Collins buy a home in remote New Hampshire. It was on the market for years because of an unsolved family disappearance thirty years ago. They may make it into a B&B but plans are still fluid. A stray dog shows up and befriends the couple. Then the dog finds an old well and mysteries unravel from there.
Sheriff Mandy Grady, following in her late father’s footsteps, has always been intrigued by the unsolved family disappearance. When old bones are found at the bottom of the well, she has to question if it has anything to do with the missing family.
🎧 via a second read, the audio is narrated by Hillary Huber. Fantastic overall experience. An occasional echo, or back ground noise in the audiobook gives a creepy factor to the story. One in particular actually gave me a quite a scare. I deliberately decided to listen in the daylight hours and I’m sure happy I made that choice.
Chilling story. Held me in thrall the entire way through.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Mystery, thriller.
Rachel and Theo Collins buy a home in remote New Hampshire. It was on the market for years because of an unsolved family disappearance thirty years ago. They may make it into a B&B but plans are still fluid. A stray dog shows up and befriends the couple. Then the dog finds an old well and mysteries unravel from there.
Sheriff Mandy Grady, following in her late father’s footsteps, has always been intrigued by the unsolved family disappearance. When old bones are found at the bottom of the well, she has to question if it has anything to do with the missing family.
🎧 via a second read, the audio is narrated by Hillary Huber. Fantastic overall experience. An occasional echo, or back ground noise in the audiobook gives a creepy factor to the story. One in particular actually gave me a quite a scare. I deliberately decided to listen in the daylight hours and I’m sure happy I made that choice.
Chilling story. Held me in thrall the entire way through.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
August 13, 2026
Setting: Shereford, New Hampshire.
A small idyllic town.
Everyone in the community knows everyone
else’s family, history & business.
The rumor mill is faster than an official meeting.
“Shereford’s not just a place, …it’s an identity.”
Police Chief: Amanda Grady, a strong woman following in her late father’s footsteps.
“You are your father’s daughter.”
“She was the chief police, she was her Father’s daughter.”
Time frame: Current while trying to find out what happened to a family that disappeared 30 years ago.
“An entire family of six, active, rambunctious, well known, vanished without a trace.”
Plus, historical (fictional?) information from the 1790s.
Multiple POVs.
Fast Paced.
Witches and treasure are involved, too (par for New England’s history).
“Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Red witch, blue witch, black or white;
One for love, one for fright;
One will dance all night long;
One will see you dead and gone.
Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Night’s a-coming; She draws near; Winds a-howling
Which one’s here?”
- Rhyme by Lisa Gardner with the help of her friend, Fred Paulitz
One of my favorite lines in the book is this.
“She had a talent for creating magic.”
I enjoyed You’ll Be Sorry, a standalone novel, by Lisa Gardner. I hope you enjoy this novel!
Interviews with Lisa Gardner in regard to this book can be found on social media.
Two that I watched include the following.
1) A Mighty Blaze: Crime Time with Hank Phillippi Ryan, August 3, 2026.
2) The Poisoned Pen Bookstore with Barbara Peters, August 3, 2026.
A small idyllic town.
Everyone in the community knows everyone
else’s family, history & business.
The rumor mill is faster than an official meeting.
“Shereford’s not just a place, …it’s an identity.”
Police Chief: Amanda Grady, a strong woman following in her late father’s footsteps.
“You are your father’s daughter.”
“She was the chief police, she was her Father’s daughter.”
Time frame: Current while trying to find out what happened to a family that disappeared 30 years ago.
“An entire family of six, active, rambunctious, well known, vanished without a trace.”
Plus, historical (fictional?) information from the 1790s.
Multiple POVs.
Fast Paced.
Witches and treasure are involved, too (par for New England’s history).
“Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Red witch, blue witch, black or white;
One for love, one for fright;
One will dance all night long;
One will see you dead and gone.
Ding dong bell, the witch is in the well.
Night’s a-coming; She draws near; Winds a-howling
Which one’s here?”
- Rhyme by Lisa Gardner with the help of her friend, Fred Paulitz
One of my favorite lines in the book is this.
“She had a talent for creating magic.”
I enjoyed You’ll Be Sorry, a standalone novel, by Lisa Gardner. I hope you enjoy this novel!
Interviews with Lisa Gardner in regard to this book can be found on social media.
Two that I watched include the following.
1) A Mighty Blaze: Crime Time with Hank Phillippi Ryan, August 3, 2026.
2) The Poisoned Pen Bookstore with Barbara Peters, August 3, 2026.
September 2, 2026
AudioBook Review
Who doesn’t love a book that features a dog and the narrator being Hillary Huber? If you love audiobooks, she knocks it outta the park with this narration!
A family of six disappeared from a home thirty years ago. They were never found. Now, a new couple moves into the home. Only thing, the dog discovers some bones.
A lot of this reminded me of the show Bones. Forensics were highly fascinating. On top of that, they threw in some witchy stuff which I will always love.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend both formats.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Grand Central Pub for the gifted copy.
Who doesn’t love a book that features a dog and the narrator being Hillary Huber? If you love audiobooks, she knocks it outta the park with this narration!
A family of six disappeared from a home thirty years ago. They were never found. Now, a new couple moves into the home. Only thing, the dog discovers some bones.
A lot of this reminded me of the show Bones. Forensics were highly fascinating. On top of that, they threw in some witchy stuff which I will always love.
I enjoyed it and highly recommend both formats.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Grand Central Pub for the gifted copy.
August 21, 2026
I have loved Gradner's Frankie Elkin's series so was thrilled to get a copy of this latest book!
Wow. I LOVED this. The mystery of a decades ago disappearance has plagued a small mountain town for over 30 years, and the daughter of the Sheriff at the time, Mandy Grady has just become Chief Sheriff. She is determined to solve the murder that had her father obsessed for all those years.
The mystery is plotted superbly well, dropping crumbs and twists along to keep me turning pages.
This is a superb read and my new favourite Gardner novel. Fantastic.
Wow. I LOVED this. The mystery of a decades ago disappearance has plagued a small mountain town for over 30 years, and the daughter of the Sheriff at the time, Mandy Grady has just become Chief Sheriff. She is determined to solve the murder that had her father obsessed for all those years.
The mystery is plotted superbly well, dropping crumbs and twists along to keep me turning pages.
This is a superb read and my new favourite Gardner novel. Fantastic.
August 12, 2026
Thank you @grandcentralpub #partner for the gifted copy!! 🥰🫶 This was my first @lisagardnerbks book and it was SO creepy!! 4.5 stars
I went back and forth between the physical copy and the audiobook… so I didn’t have to put it down. Let me just tell you that the audiobook made it even more creeptastic. 😂 There was one point that the sound effects made me jump so much that I looked around to make sure nobody saw me. 😬😂🤷♀️Highly recommend!!
Soooo.. you decide to buy a new home.. yayy you!! Congrats… never mind it’s sat empty for 30 years. 🤔 Who cares that the family of five went missing 30 years ago… 😳… Don’t even mind the mess… as the house had been left.. just as it was … HELLO… 👋 Are you CRAZY?! 😳🤯
Anyways… that was my thought when a couple decides to move from Boston and pay cash 💰 for this gem of a house. Trust me… I wasn’t the only one with questions..
This was atmospheric and I was completely drawn in from the first chapter. It kept my guessing until the very end.
I went back and forth between the physical copy and the audiobook… so I didn’t have to put it down. Let me just tell you that the audiobook made it even more creeptastic. 😂 There was one point that the sound effects made me jump so much that I looked around to make sure nobody saw me. 😬😂🤷♀️Highly recommend!!
Soooo.. you decide to buy a new home.. yayy you!! Congrats… never mind it’s sat empty for 30 years. 🤔 Who cares that the family of five went missing 30 years ago… 😳… Don’t even mind the mess… as the house had been left.. just as it was … HELLO… 👋 Are you CRAZY?! 😳🤯
Anyways… that was my thought when a couple decides to move from Boston and pay cash 💰 for this gem of a house. Trust me… I wasn’t the only one with questions..
This was atmospheric and I was completely drawn in from the first chapter. It kept my guessing until the very end.
August 8, 2026
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for my gifted arc. All opinions are my own.
Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me big time. I’ve read and enjoyed this author before so I was expecting a dark and twisty thriller but instead I got a confusing story where I didn’t connect with any of the characters besides the dog.
Don’t go into this one thinking it’s a thriller or crime fiction. The beginning had me intrigued but then I quickly lost interest and never recovered.
This had the makings for a great thriller but went in a completely different direction. I’m bummed!
Unfortunately this one missed the mark for me big time. I’ve read and enjoyed this author before so I was expecting a dark and twisty thriller but instead I got a confusing story where I didn’t connect with any of the characters besides the dog.
Don’t go into this one thinking it’s a thriller or crime fiction. The beginning had me intrigued but then I quickly lost interest and never recovered.
This had the makings for a great thriller but went in a completely different direction. I’m bummed!
July 29, 2026
Eerie, twisty, tense small town mystery about crimes both past and present. I loved the interlocking POVs and the intrigue of solving a very puzzling cold case. There were almost too many details and twists at times but I ultimately enjoyed the ending.
There are dogs in this book! They are safe and well-loved!
Content warnings: rape (descriptions of/not on the page), child loss, infertility
There are dogs in this book! They are safe and well-loved!
Content warnings: rape (descriptions of/not on the page), child loss, infertility
September 10, 2026
the setup…
Thirty years ago, the Dixon family inexplicably disappeared from their family lodge situated upon a ledge in the mountains of Shereford, New Hampshire. Police Chief Ian Grady was led to the scene by the stray dog they’d taken in, obvious from the bloody footprints that something violent had occurred. How could Janet and David Dixon, with their four children simply vanish? Despite extensive searches then and throughout the years, the family was never seen again and the house remained abandoned, the subject of true crime podcasts and other folklore. Now, newcomers Raquel and Theo Collins have bought the house, renovated it and plan to call it home. When another stray dog shows up and “adopts” them, he eventually leads them to a secret well on the property with human remains inside. Police Chief Amanda (Mandy) Grady has the daunting task of investigating this and the crime her father was never able to solve. Will this lead to answers of the thirty year old mystery?
the heart of the story…
Everything about this was creepy and soon I was suspecting everyone of something. It felt like Rachel had an agenda as she had her own hidden past. The more Mandy probed she kept uncovering new mysteries and sinister actions reaching back into other centuries.
the narration…
OMG! Hillary Huber took this story into the stratosphere with her outstanding storytelling and voice distinctions for a host of characters. She made everything come alive.
the bottom line…
There were so many angles, twists and turns that went well beyond the mystery of the missing Dixon family. I’m not particularly a fan of the spooky season but this was next level. Nothing prepared me for the outcome but the journey was the thing. And, the English Labradors called “Dog” and “Mr. Man” brought some levity and balance to a tale that made me shudder.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Thirty years ago, the Dixon family inexplicably disappeared from their family lodge situated upon a ledge in the mountains of Shereford, New Hampshire. Police Chief Ian Grady was led to the scene by the stray dog they’d taken in, obvious from the bloody footprints that something violent had occurred. How could Janet and David Dixon, with their four children simply vanish? Despite extensive searches then and throughout the years, the family was never seen again and the house remained abandoned, the subject of true crime podcasts and other folklore. Now, newcomers Raquel and Theo Collins have bought the house, renovated it and plan to call it home. When another stray dog shows up and “adopts” them, he eventually leads them to a secret well on the property with human remains inside. Police Chief Amanda (Mandy) Grady has the daunting task of investigating this and the crime her father was never able to solve. Will this lead to answers of the thirty year old mystery?
the heart of the story…
Everything about this was creepy and soon I was suspecting everyone of something. It felt like Rachel had an agenda as she had her own hidden past. The more Mandy probed she kept uncovering new mysteries and sinister actions reaching back into other centuries.
the narration…
OMG! Hillary Huber took this story into the stratosphere with her outstanding storytelling and voice distinctions for a host of characters. She made everything come alive.
the bottom line…
There were so many angles, twists and turns that went well beyond the mystery of the missing Dixon family. I’m not particularly a fan of the spooky season but this was next level. Nothing prepared me for the outcome but the journey was the thing. And, the English Labradors called “Dog” and “Mr. Man” brought some levity and balance to a tale that made me shudder.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
August 31, 2026
A fantastic standalone from Lisa Gardner. This one is just oozing with atmosphere. There are multiple mysteries with excellent characterization. There is also a lovable dog (or two or three) to boot! Perfect reading for Autumn nights.
August 9, 2026
Cold case. Entire family disappeared 30 years ago. Let the tropes begin:
Trope 1: Cop is obsessive over cold case, dies still haunted by it. Disappearance was investigated by Chief Ian Grady, who spent his life haunted by the case, connecting clues on a wallboard like a conspiracy theorist. Ian Grady dies and it remains unsolved.
Trope 2: Grady’s daughter Mandy is a screw-up who finally gets her act together and becomes a cop like her dad. When Ian Grady dies, daughter Mandy becomes police chief by default, despite her lack of experience and there already being four other cops on the town payroll.
Trope 3: Everything Chief Mandy does is a game of WWDD: What Would Dad Do? E.g., Chief Mandy makes decisions by wondering what her father would do in this situation.
Trope 4: Wacky but brilliant crime scene investigators. Body is found in a previously unknown well. Enter a hilarious anthropologist and a sarcastic crime scene (examiner? Unclear) who shout instructions and overexplain procedures to police officers and emergency responders who should, idk, already have some familiarity with crime scenes?
Trope 5: Surprise! Cute cold case investigator! Chief Mandy encounters a handsome cold case investigator with access to seemingly unlimited resources and a shared reverence for Mandy’s dad. I smell flirtation!
Trope 6: Second POV! A beautiful, wealthy, successful woman with a mysterious, traumatic past and a gorgeous, incredibly supportive husband who’s ostensibly a brilliant businessman but somehow radiates the energy and common sense of a golden retriever puppy.
Trope 7: Mysterious third POV! Who is this first-person narrator? Why is she explaining epigenetic trauma to the reader? Is she an unreliable narrator? Keep reading to find out!
Bonus trope: Just a smidge of the supernatural/psychic/unsubstantiated insight.
Bonus bonus trope: What’s the identity of at least one of the villains? Did you have “snooty, unlikeable local historian who everybody hates” on your bingo card? Congratulations.
This a very popular author, and many people I respect seem to like this book. Heck, I’ve enjoyed at least one of her previous books. Personally, I found this one excruciating.
Trope 1: Cop is obsessive over cold case, dies still haunted by it. Disappearance was investigated by Chief Ian Grady, who spent his life haunted by the case, connecting clues on a wallboard like a conspiracy theorist. Ian Grady dies and it remains unsolved.
Trope 2: Grady’s daughter Mandy is a screw-up who finally gets her act together and becomes a cop like her dad. When Ian Grady dies, daughter Mandy becomes police chief by default, despite her lack of experience and there already being four other cops on the town payroll.
Trope 3: Everything Chief Mandy does is a game of WWDD: What Would Dad Do? E.g., Chief Mandy makes decisions by wondering what her father would do in this situation.
Trope 4: Wacky but brilliant crime scene investigators. Body is found in a previously unknown well. Enter a hilarious anthropologist and a sarcastic crime scene (examiner? Unclear) who shout instructions and overexplain procedures to police officers and emergency responders who should, idk, already have some familiarity with crime scenes?
Trope 5: Surprise! Cute cold case investigator! Chief Mandy encounters a handsome cold case investigator with access to seemingly unlimited resources and a shared reverence for Mandy’s dad. I smell flirtation!
Trope 6: Second POV! A beautiful, wealthy, successful woman with a mysterious, traumatic past and a gorgeous, incredibly supportive husband who’s ostensibly a brilliant businessman but somehow radiates the energy and common sense of a golden retriever puppy.
Trope 7: Mysterious third POV! Who is this first-person narrator? Why is she explaining epigenetic trauma to the reader? Is she an unreliable narrator? Keep reading to find out!
Bonus trope: Just a smidge of the supernatural/psychic/unsubstantiated insight.
Bonus bonus trope: What’s the identity of at least one of the villains? Did you have “snooty, unlikeable local historian who everybody hates” on your bingo card? Congratulations.
This a very popular author, and many people I respect seem to like this book. Heck, I’ve enjoyed at least one of her previous books. Personally, I found this one excruciating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s been a while since I picked up a mystery thriller and oh was it was nice to return to this genre. Very much overdue. Added bonus was this is a standalone, not connected to any of Gardner’s other series, so there were no existing dynamics to recall and every character was fresh and new. Not so the murders, though!
This story is all about the deeds from the past haunting the present. Mysteries unknown, unsolved, unresolved. And yes I mean mysteries. There are a few. Both related to the small town and also some that are brought there. But everything gets tangled up along the way to the reveals.
One of the mysteries in question felt very timely considering some of the crimes currently in circulation in our own news cycle but I love how Gardner both did and didn’t make a thing of it. I thought it very well done.
As with most small town settings, you usually get a pretty interesting cast of characters who populate said town. I can’t say anyone really stood out in that respect here, though. I think the story was strong because of the crimes as opposed to those who solved them, but the one exception? Or rather, the few exceptions? All the four leggeds. Shout out to Dog the dog and all of his relations. However, I did also like a certain woods-dwelling resident, they turned out to be a really interesting surprise.
At a certain point there were two things I did guess (correctly!) but that didn’t ruin anything for me. Instead I was pleased to have it proven right. The motivation for one of the crimes, however.. I don’t know. Still mulling that over. Big picture wise it doesn’t really matter because of so many other factors in the mix but.. it also kind of does? Anyway I’ll be poking through some reviews to see if anyone else felt the same about that. That said..
Definitely would recommend this one for fans of Gardner’s work or just fans of the genre in general.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
This story is all about the deeds from the past haunting the present. Mysteries unknown, unsolved, unresolved. And yes I mean mysteries. There are a few. Both related to the small town and also some that are brought there. But everything gets tangled up along the way to the reveals.
One of the mysteries in question felt very timely considering some of the crimes currently in circulation in our own news cycle but I love how Gardner both did and didn’t make a thing of it. I thought it very well done.
As with most small town settings, you usually get a pretty interesting cast of characters who populate said town. I can’t say anyone really stood out in that respect here, though. I think the story was strong because of the crimes as opposed to those who solved them, but the one exception? Or rather, the few exceptions? All the four leggeds. Shout out to Dog the dog and all of his relations. However, I did also like a certain woods-dwelling resident, they turned out to be a really interesting surprise.
At a certain point there were two things I did guess (correctly!) but that didn’t ruin anything for me. Instead I was pleased to have it proven right. The motivation for one of the crimes, however.. I don’t know. Still mulling that over. Big picture wise it doesn’t really matter because of so many other factors in the mix but.. it also kind of does? Anyway I’ll be poking through some reviews to see if anyone else felt the same about that. That said..
Definitely would recommend this one for fans of Gardner’s work or just fans of the genre in general.
3.5 stars
** I received an ARC from the publisher (thank you!) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. **
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
September 4, 2026
a dark and creepy
village thriller with a
great lady investigator
and many old secrets
to be unearthed. ♡
village thriller with a
great lady investigator
and many old secrets
to be unearthed. ♡
September 6, 2026
Just a heads-up if you ever decide to take this one on: this is a slow burn. Literally slower than a snail. No kidding.
It took almost half the book for the pacing to finally pick up and for things to get interesting. I literally got goosebumps after one chapter when a shocking truth came to light. Damn, Lisa.
But that one chapter did not make up for the tangled web of confusion and yawns this book brought out in me.
I struggled to finish this for one simple reason: it was painfully and excruciatingly unbearable. It was SO boring. Oh my. It took me almost a week to finish, and that’s saying something because I can literally read a book a day. But this one completely bored the reader in me. I was basically sitting there like, “Please let it end. Please.”
Still, I admire Lisa Gardner’s dedication to research and her interviews with real-life detectives. Her attention to the details of police procedure, as always, is admirable. Having said that, I don’t think I was the right audience for this particular release.
But I am still—and will always be a fan.
Maybe I’ll go back to her older works now. Just to wash off my frustrations.
It took almost half the book for the pacing to finally pick up and for things to get interesting. I literally got goosebumps after one chapter when a shocking truth came to light. Damn, Lisa.
But that one chapter did not make up for the tangled web of confusion and yawns this book brought out in me.
I struggled to finish this for one simple reason: it was painfully and excruciatingly unbearable. It was SO boring. Oh my. It took me almost a week to finish, and that’s saying something because I can literally read a book a day. But this one completely bored the reader in me. I was basically sitting there like, “Please let it end. Please.”
Still, I admire Lisa Gardner’s dedication to research and her interviews with real-life detectives. Her attention to the details of police procedure, as always, is admirable. Having said that, I don’t think I was the right audience for this particular release.
But I am still—and will always be a fan.
Maybe I’ll go back to her older works now. Just to wash off my frustrations.
September 10, 2026
Incredibly slow moving. The first half had me reeled in, but the last half left me hanging.
September 6, 2026
I found this enthralling and exciting from start to finish. Honestly, there is nothing more satisfying than a good book - a good thriller/mystery that tickles your brain and keeps you guessing.
Lately, I absolutely loathe it when there are too many ugly on the inside characters in a book and I very much adore that this book's main characters aren't horrible. Yes, broken adults because life but not ugly, despicable people.
Lately, I absolutely loathe it when there are too many ugly on the inside characters in a book and I very much adore that this book's main characters aren't horrible. Yes, broken adults because life but not ugly, despicable people.
August 6, 2026
You’ll Be Sorry by Lisa Gardner is a gripping and layered mystery that keeps you on your toes from beginning to end. There is a lot happening in this story, with multiple characters and shifting perspectives, but if you stay focused, the payoff is absolutely worth it.
The novel centers around the Dixon house, recently purchased by Raquel and Theo, who are determined to restore it despite the unsettling history tied to the mysterious disappearance of the Dixon family years earlier. As the story unfolds, the truth behind what happened in that house slowly comes to light, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout.
One of the standout characters for me was Officer Amanda Grady. Her determination and investigative instincts made her storyline especially compelling, and I found myself most invested whenever she was working to piece together the mystery.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which added another layer to the experience. The sound effects and especially the haunting “witch song” brought the story to life in a unique way—and yes, that song will absolutely get stuck in your head!
Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted thriller. While it can feel a bit complex at times, readers who enjoy intricate mysteries with strong characters will not be disappointed.
The novel centers around the Dixon house, recently purchased by Raquel and Theo, who are determined to restore it despite the unsettling history tied to the mysterious disappearance of the Dixon family years earlier. As the story unfolds, the truth behind what happened in that house slowly comes to light, creating an eerie and suspenseful atmosphere throughout.
One of the standout characters for me was Officer Amanda Grady. Her determination and investigative instincts made her storyline especially compelling, and I found myself most invested whenever she was working to piece together the mystery.
I listened to this as an audiobook, which added another layer to the experience. The sound effects and especially the haunting “witch song” brought the story to life in a unique way—and yes, that song will absolutely get stuck in your head!
Overall, this was an engaging and well-crafted thriller. While it can feel a bit complex at times, readers who enjoy intricate mysteries with strong characters will not be disappointed.
August 17, 2026
I was excited to read this story and the beginning was okay. A bit confusing but I was intrigued on how a whole family could disappear. Halfway through I couldn’t wait for this story to be over. It was so boring and just plain dull.
Want to Read
December 13, 2025love this author!! This sounds like a great new mystery! I can't wait to read it!!
August 23, 2026
This story is like an onion! It has so many layers and it seems almost impossible to fully understand what’s going on. And I’ll admit this story DOES pull you in a lot of directions and at times it can be confusing, but I think the general idea and plot were very intriguing. Regardless of being confused or not I still wanted to read because I had to know what happened!
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (3.5 rounded up)
June 18, 2026
Generally love Lisa’s books but this one just fell flat and was far fetched and even confusing. I never felt invested in the story.
August 24, 2026
I went in expecting a dark thriller, as that’s typically this authors reputation, however this book felt more like a cozy mystery for the most part.
August 28, 2026
”Evil men have always been prone to evil deeds. And now, a mere two centuries later. . .the truth is coming. Take it from me. Sooner or later. . . You’ll be sorry.”
This is Lisa Gardner’s first standalone novel in more than twenty years. In between she wrote a few series including the Frankie Elkin series, which is one of my all-time favorites. So, my hopes and expectations were very high going into this one.
There is a large cast of characters to get to know and remember, but Gardner does a good job of letting the reader get to know them. They’re all written with depth and feel very authentic. Oh and, most importantly, there are dogs! And they are heroes🐕
The story starts off slowly, ramps up a bit then lags in the middle. There is a lot of information to take in and many moving parts to the story. It felt like peeling an onion🧅 there are many layers to get through. Once I got about 2/3 of the way in, there was nothing stopping me from turning the pages to figure out all of the mysteries going on within the plot line. And there are many! The twists were coming fast and furious and I was totally shocked by all of the reveals. I wasn’t able to puzzle any of them out. One in particular had me totally dumbfounded!
So, would I recommend this book? I think if you go in expecting to put on your reality suspenders, you will really enjoy this one! It’s very clear that Gardner has done a tremendous amount of research for this book. I’m excited to see what she writes next. Fingers crossed for number four in the Frankie Elkin series.🤞🏻🤞🏻
✨Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.
This is Lisa Gardner’s first standalone novel in more than twenty years. In between she wrote a few series including the Frankie Elkin series, which is one of my all-time favorites. So, my hopes and expectations were very high going into this one.
There is a large cast of characters to get to know and remember, but Gardner does a good job of letting the reader get to know them. They’re all written with depth and feel very authentic. Oh and, most importantly, there are dogs! And they are heroes🐕
The story starts off slowly, ramps up a bit then lags in the middle. There is a lot of information to take in and many moving parts to the story. It felt like peeling an onion🧅 there are many layers to get through. Once I got about 2/3 of the way in, there was nothing stopping me from turning the pages to figure out all of the mysteries going on within the plot line. And there are many! The twists were coming fast and furious and I was totally shocked by all of the reveals. I wasn’t able to puzzle any of them out. One in particular had me totally dumbfounded!
So, would I recommend this book? I think if you go in expecting to put on your reality suspenders, you will really enjoy this one! It’s very clear that Gardner has done a tremendous amount of research for this book. I’m excited to see what she writes next. Fingers crossed for number four in the Frankie Elkin series.🤞🏻🤞🏻
✨Thank you to Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley for the advance copy.
Read
September 8, 2026First and foremost I am so happy that Lisa Gardner has returned to us!!
It’s been many years since I’ve enjoyed her works. I never meshed with Frankie Elkin and waited, not so patiently, for something new.
This book warrants a 3.5 🌟 rating from me and it gets bumped up to 4 🌟 because it’s so much better than the average 3.0.
The prologue sucked me in and I was excited for this book. It has very intriguing elements with its plot toggling between the past & the present, very interesting witch lore, fascinating historical elements and some solid characters.
That being said, the prologue didn’t exactly match the story and Gardner inserted so much intrigue and chapter cliffhangers, you were left guessing who was speaking (diary entries), whiplash from switching voices and a nonlinear timeline that felt confusing most of the way.
I love nonlinear stories and rarely do I get lost. This one had me go back a few times to remind myself where I was.
My issue is that I kept putting it down. The witchy aspect of it made me question if there was a supernatural element to this story. Thankfully there isn’t, but I kept walking away from the story.
I seriously miss the days of buying an LG novel and not coming up for air for two or three days to devour the story!! So, this book suffers by comparison in how I feel about it.
The action kicks in later in the story. I enjoyed this part the most and appreciated some of the Scooby Doo wrap up at the end. The book didn’t need to be any longer than it already was.
If you’re a Karin Slaughter fan, you’ll recognize the FMC as the daughter of a top cop who is slightly struggling. (Her character reminded me of KS’s new FMC Emmy Clifton).
Mandy could have been a bit more badass for me!
I loved Raquel and Theo and Mr. Man.
Suspend ALL belief reading this story and go for a wild ATV ride in the small down of any Shereford, NH.
I hope the next book is even better than this one and I’m looking forward to it.
It’s been many years since I’ve enjoyed her works. I never meshed with Frankie Elkin and waited, not so patiently, for something new.
This book warrants a 3.5 🌟 rating from me and it gets bumped up to 4 🌟 because it’s so much better than the average 3.0.
The prologue sucked me in and I was excited for this book. It has very intriguing elements with its plot toggling between the past & the present, very interesting witch lore, fascinating historical elements and some solid characters.
That being said, the prologue didn’t exactly match the story and Gardner inserted so much intrigue and chapter cliffhangers, you were left guessing who was speaking (diary entries), whiplash from switching voices and a nonlinear timeline that felt confusing most of the way.
I love nonlinear stories and rarely do I get lost. This one had me go back a few times to remind myself where I was.
My issue is that I kept putting it down. The witchy aspect of it made me question if there was a supernatural element to this story. Thankfully there isn’t, but I kept walking away from the story.
I seriously miss the days of buying an LG novel and not coming up for air for two or three days to devour the story!! So, this book suffers by comparison in how I feel about it.
The action kicks in later in the story. I enjoyed this part the most and appreciated some of the Scooby Doo wrap up at the end. The book didn’t need to be any longer than it already was.
If you’re a Karin Slaughter fan, you’ll recognize the FMC as the daughter of a top cop who is slightly struggling. (Her character reminded me of KS’s new FMC Emmy Clifton).
Mandy could have been a bit more badass for me!
I loved Raquel and Theo and Mr. Man.
Suspend ALL belief reading this story and go for a wild ATV ride in the small down of any Shereford, NH.
I hope the next book is even better than this one and I’m looking forward to it.
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